Water Pollution Types and Effects of Water Pollution

Water Pollution Types and Effects of Water Pollution 2009 -10

Infectious Agents n n n Most serious in terms of human health Pathogenic organisms Typhoid, cholera, dysentery, polio, infectious hepatitis, schistosomiasis Insect transmitted-yellow fever and malaria Untreated human waste

Developed vs. Developing Countries n Developed– 90% sewage treatment – 95% clean drinking water n Developing – 2. 5 billion people lack adequate sanitation – 80% of all infectious disease – At least 2 million children die from dysentery

Coliform Tests n n Residents of colon Not pathogenic Detect in water, assume sewage present Figure 20. 4

Oxygen Demanding Waste n n n BOD DO Oxygen Sag Figure 20. 6 “Flowing waters can recover rapidly from degradable, oxygen-demanding wastes and excess heat through a combination of dilution and bacterial decay. ” – BUT……. . cannot recover IF……

Plant Nutrients & Eutrophication n n Oligotrophic -low nutrients and low productivity Eutrophic-rich in organisms and organic material Eutrophication-normal successional process Chesapeake Bay - a story Poisoned Waters - Frontline

Cultural Eutrophication n Increased nutrients-nitrates & phosphates – Fertilizers and detergents – Nitric acid (precipitation_ – Human, animal, and industrial wastes

Process of Eutrophication n Increase of aquatic algae and plants – Algae blooms - primarily summer – Ugly-decrease recreational value n n n Bacterial populations increase Lower of oxygen levels - fish kill Marine-red tides

Pollution of Lakes and Ponds (489)

Toxic Inorganics - Heavy Metals n n n Fatal in as small as parts per million Mercury poison - 1950 s - Minamata, Japan Bioaccumulation -persistent in ecosystems Lead, mercury, cadmium Industrial and leaching from mines

BIOMAGNIFICATION

Toxic Inorganics - Salts n n n Arsenic, chlorides, selenium Road salts Irrigation Mobilization - irrigation and acid precipitation Road salting

Toxic Inorganics - Acids & Bases n n Industries -ammonia, metal plating, petroleum, chemical Home use - dumped into sewers Acid mine drainage-sulfuric “Toxic” precipitation

Great Lakes Region - Water Problems (492)

Organic Chemicals n n n Thousands of synthetic organics Pesticides, plastics, fibers, medicines, gasoline, oil, Many highly toxic Disposal of household and industrial Runoff of pesticides Bioaccumulation and biomagnification

Contaminated Probability 10 to 20 percent Greater than 20 percent Not tested Figure 19 -11 Page 495

Sediments n n n n Largest volume/mass of water pollutants Increased erosion rate - soil loss Fills lakes, obstructs shipping Increased cost for industrial users and water purification plants Block sunlight Smother insects, etc. Carry pesticides, bacteria, fertilizers

Thermal Pollution n Aquatic organisms poorly adapted to changes in temperature Reduce DO Causes – Industrial - especially electrical plants – Loss of riparian buffers – Increased runoff (decreased infiltration)

Water Pollution Control n n n Source Reduction Nonpoint sources and land management Human Waste disposal

Measuring Water Quality n n n Coliform bacteria counts(swimming 200 colonies per 100 ml) DO in water (BOD of waste) Chemical analysis Macroinvertebrate assessment (indicator species) Physical properties: – Temperature – Suspended solids - turbidity

Figure 19 -2 Page 485

Point and Nonpoint n Scattered or Diffuse n May be Episodic n Precipitation acid and toxic rain n Runoff pavement, lawns, farms construction sites Point • Discharge pollution from specific locations – Drain pipes – ditches – Sewer outlets • Discrete and identifiable • Easier to monitor and regulate

Figure 19 -4 Page 486 Ocean Non-point sources NONPOINT SOURCES Rural homes Cropland Urban streets Animal feedlot Suburban development POINT SOURCES Wastewater treatment plant Factory

Coastal Pollution

Cooperstown NEW YORK PENNSYLVANIA ATLANTIC OCEAN Harrisburg NEW JERSEY MARYLAND Baltimore Washington DELAWARE WEST VIRGINIA Richmond VIRGINIA Norfolk Drainage basin Chesapeake Bay No oxygen Figure 19 -14 Low concentrations Page 500 of oxygen

Open Ocean Pollution n Dumping of toxics, human wastes – Common in developing, often shipped from developed!! n n n Radioactive wastes Excessive nutrients Sediments from land – destroying coral reefs

Petroleum – n n Crude and refined – much variation Sources – Accidents (blowouts and tankers – Valedez) Normal operations – 50 -90% - from land sewers!! n n n Effects – many variables Volatile organic hydrocarbons – toxics to many organisms Crude – coats birds and some mammals Coat, smother bottom dwellers Poison bivalves

Toxics in the oceans n n n Metals and slowly degrading chemicals threaten inland coastal waters. Toxic materials settle into sea-floor sediments hazards to benthic organisms that live in and feed on bottom muds. Persistent chemicals may enter the food web and contaminate the fish and shellfish we eat. May bioaccumulate and biomagnify

Debris and trash n Almost 300 miles from the nearest inhabited island over 3000 miles from the nearest continent, Ducie Atoll in the South Pacific is one of the most remote islands

Regulation n n The Law of the Sea limits exploitation The London Convention discourages dumping at sea

Oceans and Nutrient Pollution n n Warning Signs Too many nutrients lead to too little oxygen

Climate Change and the Oceans n n n Oceans are crucial in shaping climate - they store and move heat around the planet – think of ocean currents they're a major source and storehouse for gases (such as carbon dioxide) that affect climate Storms might rage Shores might be submerged § Sea level would rise if the oceans warmed, If polar ice caps melted, sea level would rise further A rise of even a few centimeters would flood lowlying islands and coastal cities. Coral reefs might die back §

Prevention Cleanup Reduce input of toxic pollutants Improve oil-spill cleanup capabilities Separate sewage and storm lines Require at least secondary treatment of coastal sewage or use wetlands, solaraquatic, or other sewage treatment methods Ban ocean dumping of sludge and hazardous dredged material Protect sensitive areas from development, oil drilling, and oil shipping Require improved air pollution cleanup to reduce input from the atmosphere Regulate coastal development Recycle used oil Require double hulls for oil tankers Figure 19 -15 Page 502

Where is Pennsylvania’s Ground Water? Everywhere ! ØBelow Water Table ØFilling pore space ØFilling fractures

5 Years Rechar ge Area A e g r a Rech Discharge Area

Hydrologic Cycle in Pennsylvania

Where is Ground-Water Most Important? >50% Homes >50% GW

Aquifers by Rock Type Sandstone & Shale Carbonate Crystalline Unconsolidated Sand & Gravel

Carbonate Rock Aquifers Sandstone & Shale Carbonate Crystalline Unconsolidated Sand & Gravel

Characteristics of Carbonate Rocks Precipitation ØLarge Openings ØHigh Yields ØVulnerable ØHigh Recharge

Crystalline-Rock Aquifers Sandstone & Shale Carbonate Crystalline Unconsolidated Sand & Gravel

GW Discharge to Streams SHERMAN CREEK STREAMFLOW BASEFLOW 85% Baseflow

Waste Disposal – Septic Systems

Groundwater Pollutants

Wellhead Protection Area contrib Recharge to Supply Well

Factors Related to Bacteria in Well Water • Lack of sanitary seal • Lack of grout

RESOURCE EXTRACTION MINE

Agricultural Sources of Contamination

Sewage Disposal n n n n What goes “down the drain”? What are problems posed by the substances? Natural processes - natures way Outhouses Septic Systems Sewage Treatment Wetlands

Septic tank Nonperforated pipe Manhole (for cleanout) Household wastewater Perforated pipe Distribution box (optional) Drain field Vent pipe Septic System - Name All Parts Gravel or crushed stone

Sewage Treatment

Primary n n Sedimentation Tank Preliminary Metal Grating - large • Undissolved solids settle solids • About 30% efficient Grit Tank

Secondary n n n Biological degradation of dissolved organic matter Trickling Filter or aeration tank Disposal of sludge (anaerobic digestion) 90 -95% efficient Most communities use this

Tertiary Treatment n n n Removes nutrients or other dissolved organic material Expensive Not common

Anaerobic Digestion n n Sludge treatment From where in the sewage treatment process does the sludge come from? Purpose Process End results

Alternatives Wetlands n Natural n Artificial n 20 -30 days Effluent Sewerage • Third World • Hybrid-Septic Tank and central facility from septic tanks